State Department awards $2.4M contract for advisory council support to ICF Incorporated

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,411,282 ($2.4M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACT TO SUPPOR THE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $2.4 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: CONTRACT TO SUPPOR THE ADVISORY COUNCIL Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. The contract duration of 5 years suggests a need for sustained advisory services. 3. Focus on 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' indicates a broad scope. 4. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure can pose budget uncertainty if not managed closely. 5. No small business set-aside was applied, potentially impacting small business participation. 6. The contract's value is relatively modest compared to larger federal service contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $2.4 million over five years for advisory council support appears reasonable for the services described. However, without specific performance metrics or benchmarks for similar advisory roles within the State Department or other agencies, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The 'Time and Materials' (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not carefully monitored and controlled. Benchmarking against other sole-source advisory contracts would be necessary for a more precise comparison.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of State did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique qualifications or capabilities essential for the requirement, or in urgent situations. The lack of competition means that the pricing and terms were negotiated directly with ICF Incorporated, without the downward pressure that a competitive bidding process might provide.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the benefits of competitive bidding, such as price reductions and innovative solutions, are not realized.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of State, which will receive expert advice and support for its advisory council. Services delivered likely include research, analysis, policy recommendations, and administrative support for the council's functions. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Department of State is headquartered. Workforce implications include the direct employment of personnel by ICF Incorporated to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Time and Materials contract type introduces potential for cost escalation.
Absence of small business participation could limit opportunities for smaller firms.

Positive Signals

ICF Incorporated is a known entity with existing contracts, suggesting some level of established performance.
The long contract duration indicates a recognized need for ongoing advisory services.
The contract supports a specific governmental function (advisory council) which is a legitimate use of federal funds.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is a broad category encompassing a wide range of activities, from management consulting to research and development. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, supporting various agencies' missions. This particular contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' indicating a specialized or less common service offering. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar advisory services for government councils would require detailed analysis of specific service scopes and durations.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited to potential subcontracting roles that ICF Incorporated may choose to offer. The absence of a set-aside or explicit subcontracting goals means there is no direct mechanism to ensure small business involvement in this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of State. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency regarding the specific deliverables and performance metrics would be available through federal contract databases, though detailed internal workings of the advisory council's operations may be less public. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Advisory Services
Professional and Technical Services Contracts
Government Consulting Contracts
Federal Advisory Committee Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pressure.
Time and Materials pricing introduces cost uncertainty.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics.
No explicit small business participation goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $2.4 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. CONTRACT TO SUPPOR THE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is ICF Incorporated's track record with the Department of State and other federal agencies?

ICF Incorporated has a significant history of performing contracts across various federal agencies, including the Department of State. A review of federal procurement data (e.g., FPDS) would reveal the extent and nature of their past performance. This includes the types of services rendered, contract values, and performance ratings, if available. Understanding their past performance, particularly with similar advisory or technical services, is crucial for assessing the risk and potential success of this current contract. Agencies often rely on past performance evaluations as a key factor in future award decisions, especially in sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

How does the $2.4 million contract value compare to similar advisory council support contracts?

Benchmarking this $2.4 million contract against similar advisory council support contracts requires identifying comparable agreements. Factors such as the specific agency, the scope of services (e.g., research, policy analysis, administrative support), the duration of the contract (this one is 5 years), and the level of expertise required will influence the cost. Without access to a detailed database of comparable sole-source advisory contracts, it's difficult to provide a precise comparison. However, for a 5-year engagement supporting a council, $2.4 million (averaging $480,000 annually) appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized professional services, though the lack of competition prevents definitive value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, Time and Materials contract for advisory services?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source, Time and Materials (T&M) contract are twofold. Firstly, the sole-source nature eliminates the potential for cost savings and innovation that competition brings. The government accepts the price negotiated without market validation. Secondly, the T&M pricing structure carries inherent risks of cost escalation. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. If project scope creeps, inefficiencies arise, or the contractor's labor rates are high, the total cost can exceed initial estimates, potentially leading to budget overruns. Effective oversight and clear task definitions are critical to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract?

The expected effectiveness of the services hinges on the clarity of the Statement of Work (SOW) and the performance metrics established for ICF Incorporated. As this contract supports an advisory council, its effectiveness will be measured by the quality, relevance, and timeliness of the advice and support provided. This could translate into improved decision-making by the council, better policy development, or more efficient council operations. The Department of State's program managers are responsible for monitoring ICF's performance against the SOW and ensuring that the advisory council receives the necessary expertise to fulfill its mandate. Success will depend on strong government oversight and a well-defined scope of work.

What has been the historical spending pattern for advisory council support at the Department of State?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for advisory council support at the Department of State would provide context for this $2.4 million contract. This involves examining past contracts awarded for similar purposes, including their values, durations, and whether they were competed or sole-sourced. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending in this category could indicate shifts in program priorities, increased reliance on external expertise, or changes in contracting strategies. Understanding this history can help assess whether the current contract represents a continuation of established practice, an expansion of services, or a deviation from previous approaches, and whether spending levels are justifiable.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM21R0361

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,568,627

Exercised Options: $2,568,627

Current Obligation: $2,411,282

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline